The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-07-20
'Duty It's anybody's duty not to


marry unless she loves. If you don't
love me, Lilly Mason, I don't want you.
If you do love Cousin Henry Hunter,
why marry him. I wouldn't stand in
your way for kin ngdom."
Ills voice broke. He was sobbng.
"Its a bow" he said, Shut he's
right. You would be throwing yourself
away on me-a country fellow without
looks or education. Goodbye. sha'n't
bother you any more, Lilly"
lie walked away. Lilly was gone
when tu ned to look at her. In the
morning 1 sat alone at the breakfast
table with Bilrs mother. She evidently
knew the story. Her hospitality was
grim instead of friendly. She told me
that William had been intending to
visit distant city for some time. and
had "set of" carly that morning.
went over to tho school before the
train started. Lilly Mason was alone
behind her desk, her eyes swollen with
tears. The scholars had not yet arrived.
Dearest" said, "do not weep. !
am more in love with you than ever, and
since you love nc"
But, to my astonishment, Lilly Mason
straightcncd herself up, and pointed to
the door.
"How dare you come hcre9' she said
Indignantly. "Leave mel Love you,
indecd9 simply hate you, Mr.. HunterE
And she meant it. ! walked away
in astonishment and fury, and went
back to my work in Loadon.
felt that had spoiled poor Cousin
Bills happiness, and my own also. And
1 had made pretty mess of It'll Already
I was out of love with the girl who had
ordered me out of doors, and told me she
hated me.
OF course I never saw anything OF the
people at the farm, or heard from them.
And when, filally, married charming
girl, I felt that my conscience would be
much easier if it were not for the men,
ory of the wrong had done Cousin Bill.
dared not send cards to any one down
at the old place. I felt they all hated
me, though ton years had passed since
my visit there.
What, then, was my surprise when one
day tap came at my office door, and
q pleasant face looked in.
started to my feet.
Number elevenw I cried.
eyes" so d Cousin Bilrs voice. Il
saw your wedding notice, and came
down to congratulate you in person. A
good wife is great blessing"
Indeed, it isl" Isaid, humbly. "How
good of you, Bill! How forgiving"
mot at ALL" said Bill. cpd have
come before, only felt you might owe
me grudgc. We sit and talk of you
lots. How often I've thought of you as
poor, disappointed bachelor, all alone
in London! And she has said, over and
over again, well, I hope he's got q
little over it; but 1 sha'n't ever forget
his face when we parted"
"Your mother lid that2" asked I.
"Oh, no; not mother!" replied cousin
Bill. "She sent her compliments, and
some of her best cheese. Cheese is al
ways handy in house, she says, and
for you to come down this summer and
sec us all. 1t was wife said that-Lilly,
you know"
"Lillyw cried, "Then you married
her. after all9'
"Did you not know it2" asked Bill.
"Why, we thought you were taking it
harl all this time. Yes. didn't start
early, as I expected; and I Thought I'd
60 over to the school and tell her bore
no grudgc; and I was looking in Mt the
back window when she said she hated
you,' and told You to 'go;' and I stepped
in at it as you bnnged the door, and
then and there we made up. She dis
covered it was, after all, more your
clothes than anything else that she
weakened on; and-wcll, I was only too
cla to let all be as it was, If she would.
And we're very happy and comfortable,
and have four chidren-two boys, girl,
and baby-another girl.
Then he shook hands with me again,
and took him home to dinner.
Performing Birds and Cats.